Detonator



ice

United States Patent Oiif DEroNAroR Y n Harold J.` Plumley, Washington, D. C., Richard H. F.y

' Stresau, Jr., Kensington, Md., and Paul L. Godchaux ll,

V New Orleans, La.

Application September 13, 1946, Serial No. 696,972 2 Claims. (Cl. 102-'70.2)

v(canned under rifle ss, U. s. code (1952), sec. 266) vThis invention relates to an electroresponsive detonator and is particularly adapted for use in an underwater `ordnance weapon such, for example, as a mine adapted to be planted from an aircraft -at a high altitude, depth charge, torpedo andthe like. v

Y The present invention 'provides a low energy electrical- `ly fired detonator so constructed as to withstand severe firing the explosive charges arranged therein in response toV a low energy electrical impulse applied to the firing 'means' thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new yand improved electror'esponsive detonator in which the internal components thereof are encased within a metal housing in such a manner as to prevent relative movement thereof regardless of the amount of shock received thereby.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new vand improved electroresponsive ldetonator which is 'relatively percussion insensitive thereby preventing premature tiring thereof during handling and transportation. A still further object of the invention is the provisionof a new and improved electroresponsive detonator which is economical to manufacture, reliable in operation, and which possess all the qualities of ruggedness, safety and durability during handling and transportation. f Still other objects, novel features and advantages oi thev invention will become apparent from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is an elevational view of the electroresponsive detonator of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the detonator taken on line 22 of Fig. 1; `and Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view of -an alternative form of the detonator.

Referring tothe drawing in detail for a more complete understanding of the invention wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout thel several views, the electroresponsive detonator disclosed thereon is generally indicated by the reference character 10, and

comprises casing llfcomposed of any suitablematerial as copper,

for example, as the type known to those skilledin the arts as PETN is pressed into one` end of the casing 11, and a primer charge 13 of DDNP chlorate isy also pressed into the casing 1K1 in abutting relation with respect to the explosive charge 12.

Arranged within the casing 11 in abutting relation with respect to the charge'13 is an annular collar 14 composed of fiber or any other materials suitable for the purpose. The collar 14 is provided with a centrally disposed bore 15 having a ash charge 16 of any suitable type arranged therein adapted to initiate firing of Ithe explosive 'and primer charges 12 and 13 when the ilash charge 16 is tired by an electrical impulse, as is well known to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

A plug generally indicated by the reference numeral 1'7 and composed of any plastic material suitable for the purpose is secured within the casing 11, as will be hereinafter more fully described. The plug 17 comprises a body portion 18 having a shoulder 19 formed thereon adapted to have abutting engagement with one end of the collar 14 while the other end of the collar is in abutting relation with respect to the primer charge 13 "thereby to maintain the collar in fixed position within the casing. The plug 17 is also provided with a reduced nipple 20 formed thereon which extends a predetermined distance into the bore 15 in the collar 14 and is of such length as to engage the ash charge 16 thereby maintaining the llash charge in abutting engagement with respect to the primer charge 13. The other end of the plug 17 is provided with an enlarged head 21 formed thereon adapted to coact with complementary means on the casing 11 sin such a manner as to prevent relative movement of the plug and casing with respect to each other when the deonator has been completely assembled. It is to be noted that the plug 17 comprises iirst, second and third cylindrical portions of progressively decreasing diameter, the lirst portion being head 21 and the third portion nipple 20. The complementary means for maintaining the plug 17 and casing 11 in -xed relation with respect to each other comprises an inclined conic frustum shoulder 22 formed on the inner portion of the head 21 of theplug 17 adapted to have abutting engagement with ka complementary conic frustum portion 23 formed on the casing. There is also formed on the outer end of the head 21 an inclined conic frustum shoulder 24 having abutting engagement with a flange 25 formed-on the outer end portion of the casing in any suitable manner but preferably by crimping, as clearly shown on Fig.'2. y It will be understood, however, that the plug 17 is inserted into the casingv 11 before the crimping operation takes place.

When theassembly of the detonator is complete,-Fig. 2, it will be apparent, after a careful study thereof, that the interior components ofthe detonator are also maintained in a xed postion within the casing due to the abutting relation therebetween and the manner in which'the plug V17 is secured within theV casing in the aforesaid abutting relation with the interior components. Therefore the interior components of the detonator are lixed and will not move even under conditions of severe shock. y

'Patented `July 8, n1958 The detonator of the present invention is thus particularly adapted to withstand the severe shock of impact of an aircraft planted mine against the surface of the water when the mine is launched from a high altitude.

It will be further understood, however, that during assembly of the detonator, the plug 17 may be coated with a waterproof compound of any type suitable for the purpose before the plug is inserted into the casing 11. After a suicient quantity of waterproofing compound has been applied to the plug, the plug is then pressed into the casing and the open hanged end thereof is crimped about the head 21 of the plug 17 as heretofore described, whereby by reason of the conical surfaces provided, a moistureproof seal is obtained between the casing and plug, thus hermetically sealing the aforesaid explosive charges within the casing and preventing deterioration thereof due to atmospheric conditions.

A pair of lead-in wires 26 are molded into the plug 17 in spaced relation with respect to each other, a portion of each lead-in wire 26 extending a predetermined distance into the plug. A sleeve 27 composed of any insulating material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as felted asbestos and cotton braid is secured to each lead-in wire and molded within the plug, as best shown on Fig. 2. Each end portion 23 of the lead-in wires 26 extends a predetermined distance beyond each of the sleeves 27 and has respectively secured thereto terminals 29 as by solder or the like 30. A portion of the terminals 29 is molded in the body 1S of the plug and extends a predetermined distance beyond the reduced porti-on thereof and into the flash charge 16, the purpose of which will more clearly appear as the description proceeds.

The inner end portions of the terminals 29 are connected together by a bridge wire 31 composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as the type of wire known in the trade as Nichrome- It will be understood, however, that the ends of the bridge wire 31 are secured to the respective ends of the terminals 29 in any suitable manner, preferably by soldering the parts together as indicated by the reference character 32, thereby providing means for firing the dash charge 16 in response to an electrical impulse received thereby from any suitable source of power, not shown, such, for example, as a battery, as is well known to -those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

it will be understood, however, after a study of Fig. 2 of the drawings, that the internal components of the detonator are assembled in the casing 11 in such a manner as to prevent any movement thereof with respect to each other during handling and transportation thereby to prevent premature firing of the aforesaid explosive charges therein or damage to the components of the detonator in response to a severe shock received thereby. It will be further understood that the aforesaid explosive charges 12, 13 and 16 are hermetically sealed within the casing 11, as heretofore described, thereby to prevent deteriora tion thereof due to atmospheric conditions, thus providing a detonator of exceptionally long life either in storage or within an ordnance weapon, as the case may be.

On Fig. 3 of the drawings an alternative form of the detonator is shown in which the construction thereof is generally similar with respect to the form shown on Figs. l and 2 except that the tiring means of Fig. 3 are somewhat modied. ln this form of the device the plug 17 is formed with first, second and third cylindrical portions similar to the showing in Fig. 2 and the firing means comprise a pair of lead-in wires 33 molded into the plug 17 in spaced relation with respect to each other, but each of the lead-in wires 33 has a plurality of corrugated portions 34 formed thereon which are molded into the aforesaid second and third portions of the plug 17, thus permanently securing the lead-in wires within the plug and preventing accidental withdrawal of the lead-in wires 33 from the plug. The inner ends of the lead-in wires 33 extend beyond the reduced nipple 20 on the plug and have secured thereto the bridge wire 31 in the same manner as heretofore shown and described.

It will be understood, however, that in the form shown on Fig. 3 the explosive charges 12, 13, and 16 are hermetically sealed within the casing 11 and the component parts of the detonator are maintained in fixed position with respect to each other as heretofore shown and described.

While the invention has been described with particularity in reference to two examples which produce satisfactory results, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that the invention in its broader aspect could be carried out by other instrumentalities, and it is understood that the terms used in the claims are words of description and not of limitation except as necessitated by the prior art.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes Without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. An electroresponsive detonator of the character disclosed comprising a preformed casing having an elongated cylindrical body portion, a cylindrical head portion of greater diameter than said body portion and a frustro conic portion intermediate said head and body portions, an explosive charge arranged within said body portion, a collar arranged within the body portion in sealing engagement therewith and with said explosive charge, a hash charge arranged within said collar for tiring the explosive charge, a preformed plug pressed into said casing and comprising a rst, second, third cylindrical portion of progressively decreasing diameter and a complementary frustro conic portion intermediate said first and second portions in sealing engagement with said head portion, body portion, collar, and frustro conic portion of the casing respectively, llange means on said head portion overlapping said lirst cylindrical portion of the plug for maintaining said rst, second and third cylindrical portions and the complementary frustroconic portion thereof in sealing engagement with said head portion, body portion, collar and frustro conic portion of the casing respectively, a pair of lead-in wires extending through the plug and molded therein, a plurality of corrugated portions on said lead-in wires molded in said second and third portions of the plug for maintaining said wires fixed to the plug, a pair of straight portions on one end of said lead-in wires and molded into said third portion of said plug and said flash charge, a bridge wire secured to said lead-in wires and embedded in said flash charge for firing the charge in response to an electrical impulse applied thereto, and a pair of straight portions on ythe other end of said lead-in wires and molded in said first, second and frustro conic portions of the plug and extending outwardly therefrom for establishing an external electrical connection to said bridge wire.

2. An electroresponsive detonator of ythe character disclosed comprising a preformed casing having an elongated cylindrical body portion and a cylindrical head portion of greater diameter formed thereon, an explosive charge arranged within said body portion, a collar arranged within said body portion in sealing engagement therewith and with said explosive charge, a flash charge arranged within said collar for firing the explosive charge, a preformed molded plug pressed into said casing and comprising a first, second and third cylindrical portion of progressively decreasing diameter in sealing engagement with said head portion, body portion and collar respectively, a ange formed on said head portion overlapping said rst cylindrical portion of the plug for maintaining said rst, second and third cylindrical portions thereof in sealing engagement with the head portion, body portion and collar respectively, a pair of lead-in wires extending through the plug and molded therein, a plurality of corof the plug,

vrugated portions on said lead-in wires molded-in said second and third portions of the plug for maintaining said wires xed to the plug, a pair of straight portions on one end ofy said lead-in wires and moldedvinto said third portion of the plg and said flash charge, a bridge wire secured to said lead-in Wires' and embedded in said flash charge for ring the' charge in response to' an electrical impulse applied thereto, a pair of straight portions on the l other end of said lead-in wires and molded in said second portion of the plug and extending therebeyond for estab- Vlishing an external electrical 4connection to said bridge wire, and a pair of flexible sleeves secured on said last named straight portions and molded in lSaid rst portion References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y i Smith july 2, V17901 f v Germany Feb. 27, 1927 

